Is Demaree and Goshen really better or is it just prettier to drive?

After months of traffic congestion and long lines, the Goshen Avenue and Demaree Street intersection is up and running.

The project, which was years in the making, widened the heavily used northwest Visalia intersection.

So far, many motorists seem to be happy with the improvements, which are just the first of many city officials have in the works.

"It is exceptionally better. I admit I didn’t think it was going to do the job but it is wonderful," said Jessica Vela. "The lines still are a little long but that is to be expected when we keep adding more and more and more new homes without a plan to build some kind of roadway outlet. But the lights are perfectly synchronized to get you through both intersections in one short stop and more space frees up to hold more cars in the middle of the intersection."

Donna Bailey agreed.

"It is a great improvement," she said. "Great job and thank you to all involved."

Still, some think the improvements fail short, specifically when it comes to turning onto Goshen. For those headed north, nothing really changed. And for those headed south, they can't turn right on a red light.

"Big difference, much better, but the no right turn on a red light turning from Demaree to westbound Goshen is ridiculous," said Justin Gallagher.

David Thomas echoed Gallagher's criticism. In the morning, when school is in session, traffic backs up. The same can be said for the 5 o'clock rush hour.

"Really dumb to have the no turn on red from Demaree to Goshen," Thomas said. "Just another trap for tickets like all the speed limits being changed throughout town."

Cops have been stationed at the intersection several times since the intersection opened.

The change has some drivers thrown for a loop, said Lindsay Yocum.

"People are also not noticing you cannot turn into Goshen when the light is red," she said. "I’ve almost been taken out when running because people don’t pay attention, and try to whip around when they see no cars coming."

With the completion of the project, which took several months to finish and years to draw up, city officials are now looking at other streets in need of improvements.

First on the list is the installation of traffic signals at two busy Visalia intersections: County Center Street and Houston Avenue and at Mooney Boulevard and Riggin Avenue.

“Work is scheduled to begin at the intersection of County Center and Houston on March 4,” said Sergio Alvarado, associate engineer for Visalia's Engineering Department. “Construction of the signal at the intersection of Mooney and Riggin will start on March 11. Both traffic signal installations are scheduled to be completed by July 2019.”

The temporary traffic signals that are currently operating at the intersection of County Center and Houston will be relocated to the intersection of Giddings Street and Riggin after the construction is completed at County Center and Houston.

The temporary traffic signal will remain at Giddings Street and Riggin Avenue until the permanent traffic signal is constructed.

“The next intersections planned to have a traffic signal constructed are County Center at Riggin, Giddings at Riggin, Mooney at Ferguson Avenue, Cameron Avenue at West Street, and Shirk Street at Walnut Avenue,” Alvarado said.

Minor traffic delays will occur during the construction process, city officials said. Motorists are asked to drive with caution and "slow for the cone zone."

For updates on traffic signal installations and more road work news, follow the City of Visalia on Facebook and Twitter @CityofVisalia.

Calley Cederlof covers Tulare County schools, local government and business for the Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register newspapers. Follow her on Twitter @calleyc_vtd. Get alerts and keep up on all things Tulare County for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.